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{
    "id": 724405,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/724405/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 103,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. M’uthari",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1576,
        "legal_name": "Joseph M'eruaki M'uthari",
        "slug": "joseph-meruaki-muthari"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise to support this Report on the appointment of Dr. Jane Wangui to that position. The lady is qualified. According to the Report, she also displays a lot of competence. For that, I support her appointment. It is my hope that the Commission will look at all the parameters of resource allocation. We have seen occasions in this country, even when we are within one county - and we have the formula for resource allocation at the county level - that there are a lot of disparities in terms of development. That should be put into consideration. The problem is not only resource allocation. The resources are being distributed in the countries, but what we are seeing at this moment in the Republic is something shameful. We have people suffering because of drought. If you look at a county like Turkana, that is the land of paradox – a place where you have a lot of underground water which can supply the whole Republic with water and yet, even when money is allocated to such counties, it does not seem to make a difference in the livelihoods of the people. At this moment, I would have expected, even if we have drought as we have now, the citizens of this country should not be suffering. It would be expected that elected leaders at the county levels are able to allocate resources at that level. The revenue given to them can be allocated in such a way that the livelihoods of the people are improved. The leaders should consider how resources within the counties are distributed and used to make all the difference. At the end of the day, we may have competence at that level. But we also need the Commission to take into consideration all the different parameters, the livelihoods and look at the wellbeing of the people. Then resources can be allocated at that particular level. It is important even at the county level if we could have criteria for revenue allocation within the counties so that, if you go to counties like Meru, then you can look at some constituencies like Tigania and Igembe for particular consideration. Even if you look at other counties like Embu, there are areas like Mbeere which should be looked into in a particular way because of the different geographical realities. So, there are counties which have disparities even from within. Sometimes, when the resources are allocated and they go to the lower levels at the counties, monies are just distributed equally and politically. Nobody takes into account the various difficulties. In the end, even the monies that are allocated do not appear to make a difference in the livelihoods of the people. Again, this is the function of the citizens. That is because the people they elect at that level--- Like now we are in an elections year. The citizens of this Republic sometimes wonder about the criteria for elections and identifying leaders. If people at that level do not consider who are being entrusted with the management of the resources and how they are going to utilize it, it will not matter how much resources are allocated. Resources are allocated to the counties but, given the leaders that we have at the county level, some of that money finds its way back to the headquarters through investments. Some of that money, instead of being invested in the counties for development, improvement of welfare and for creating change that Kenyans were looking for through devolution, has been diverted elsewhere. That is because of where the citizens are and how they elect those that are entrusted with the resources. I wish Dr. Jane Wangui and her team all the best. Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I support. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}